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Vortex Optics makes four very similar monoculars in their Solo line. The Vortex Optics Solo monoculars come in 8x and 10x magnifications and 25mm and 36mm objective lens sizes.
Combine those specifications appropriately and you get the four monoculars in the list just below. Any one of these is a fine optical instrument. Which one you decide to get depends – just a little – on your budget and how much magnification you want.
If you’re in a hurry right now and just need to check the pricing of each Solo monocular at Amazon, you can click (tap) each of the links in the list below. Otherwise, to see the differences among them, keep scrolling and reading the details.
- Vortex Optics Solo 8×25 Monocular
- Vortex Optics Solo 8×36 Monocular
- Vortex Optics Solo 10×25 Monocular
- Vortex Optics Solo 10×36 Monocular
Common Features of the Vortex Solo Monoculars
On the outside, the two 8x monoculars look virtually identical to each other. You’d say the same about the pair of 10x monoculars too.
There are just a couple of differences in the looks of an 8x versus a 10x monocular. The 10x is larger (and weighs a bit more) and has a utility clip on the “back” side.
All Solos have rubber armor coating for protection in case you drop it or bang it into something – which will happen. The lenses are fully multi-coated, as is most glass these days, so you’ll get the clearest possible picture of your target. And the Solos are O-ring sealed, making them waterproof and fogproof, which is nice when the weather isn’t the greatest.
All models have a focus wheel near the eyepiece. Turning it clockwise brings more distant object into focus. The eye cup is also adjustable, which is handy for eyeglass wearers.
With your purchase of a Solo, you get a lanyard and a carrying case – both pretty standard extras these days.
Finally, you get the amazing Vortex Optics lifetime warranty. I noticed that a few owners had problems with the focus wheel either becoming too loose or too tight to be useful. If that should happen to you, just return it to the manufacturer (per their terms, of course) for a replacement.
As far as the differences from one model to the next, it really comes down to the numbers – the specifications. So, I’ll just list them below individually for each monocular. Then I’ll put everything together in a table for easier comparison. After that, just pick the one you want and click the appropriate button.
Vortex Optics Solo 8×25 Monocular
- Eye Relief – 15 mm
- Exit Pupil – 3.13 mm
- Field of View – 378 feet at 1000 yards
- Close Focus – 16.4 feet
- Length – 4.4 inches
- Width – 2.2 inches
- Weight – 5.6 oz
Vortex Optics Solo 8×36 Monocular
- Eye Relief – 18 mm
- Exit Pupil – 4.5 mm
- Field of View – 393 feet at 1000 yards
- Close Focus – 16.4 feet
- Length – 4.9 inches
- Width – 2.6 inches
- Weight – 9.7 oz
Vortex Optics Solo 10×25 Monocular
- Eye Relief – 14.5 mm
- Exit Pupil – 2.5 mm
- Field of View – 315 feet at 1000 yards
- Close Focus – 16.4 feet
- Length – 4.4 inches
- Width – 2.2 inches
- Weight – 5.6 oz
Vortex Optics Solo 10×36 Monocular
- Eye Relief – 15 mm
- Exit Pupil – 3.6 mm
- Field of View – 325 feet at 1000 yards
- Close Focus – 16.4 feet
- Length – 4.9 inches
- Width – 2.6 inches
- Weight – 9.3 oz
Comparison Table for the Vortex Optics Solo Monoculars
| Model | 8×25 | 8×36 | 10×25 | 10×36 |
| Eye Relief (mm) | 15 | 18 | 14.5 | 15 |
| Exit Pupil (mm) | 3.13 | 4.5 | 2.5 | 3.6 |
| FOV (ft. @ 1000 yds.) | 378 | 393 | 315 | 325 |
| Close Focus (ft.) | 16.4 | 16.4 | 16.4 | 16.4 |
| Length (in.) | 4.4 | 4.9 | 4.4 | 4.9 |
| Width (in.) | 2.2 | 2.6 | 2.2 | 2.6 |
| Weight (oz.) | 5.6 | 9.7 | 5.6 | 9.3 |
Why the 10×36 weighs less than the 8×36, I don’t know. The numbers are from the Vortex Optics site, but I suspect one of these may be wrong.
If none of these Solo models fits your needs, check out this more powerful monocular from Gosky.
